GLASGOW UNITARIANS WWW.GLASGOW-UNITARIANS.ORG.UK 72 BERKELEY ST, GLASGOW

NEWS&VIEWS GLASGOW UNITARIANS APRIL 2013

I AM MUSIC

I am Music, most ancient of the arts.I am more than ancient - I am eternal

Even before life began on this earth, I was here - in winds and in waves.

When the first trees and flowers and grasses appeared

I was among them.

And when humanity came, I at once became the most delicate,

most subtle and most powerful mediumfor the expression of emotions.

In all ages, I have inspired people with hope, kindled their love, given voice to their joys,

cheered them on to valorous deedsand soothed them in times of despair.

I have played a great part in the drama of life, whose end and purpose is the complete perfection of human nature.

Through my influence, humanity has been uplifted,

sweetened and refined.

With the aid of humanity, I have become a Fine Art.I have a myriad of voices

and instruments and rhythms.

I am in the hearts of all and on their tonges,in all lands among all peoples -

the ignorant and unlettered know me, not less than the rich and learned.

For I speak to all, in a language that all can feel. Even the deaf hear me,

if they but listen to the voices of their own souls as they feel my vibrations.

I am the food of love.I have taught people gentleness and peace.

I am a comfort for the lonelyand I harmonise the dischord of crowds.

I am a necessary luxury to all.

I AM MUSIC.

Written by Allan C Inman

14 members of the Unitarian Music Society joined with

Glasgow Unitarians to create a memorable weekend - ʻA

Celebration of Musicʼ

Glasgow Unitarians 72 Berkeley Street, Glasgow G3 7DS Tel 0141 221 3154.

Scottish Charity Number SCO 16472 Printed Newsletter by MBE,

145 Kilmarnock Road, G41 3JA

APRIL 2013 CHURCH NEWSOUR HISTORIC AGM

On 24th March we had the very last Annual General Meeting of Glasgow Unitarian Church (GUC) as an unincorporated association. This was followed immediately by the Inaugural General Meeting of GUC as a recently created Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).

Alastair Moodie chaired the two meetings. The Annual Report for 2012 was received and the service of a number of members in various capacities was recognised.

Ruth Gregory presented her treasurer’s report. She was encouraged by the progress that had been made financially with a much greater proportion of the income coming from tenancies and lettings as a result of the renovation of the building. She advised that it would be prudent to make adequate provision to maintain the good condition of the property. In her report she expressed the wish that resources be directed to outreach in order to let others know about our liberating beliefs.

Ruth was thanked for all her work on the finances and especially for the speed with which she had produced the Annual Accounts.

Transition to SCIO

Alastair explained that we had reached the final stage of the journey to the new legal status of SCIO. GUC had been officially registered as a SCIO on 18th December and the legal transfer of our assets was completed by 28th December with the help of our solicitors, Bird Semple. The trustees had set the goal of completing the transfer before the end of the financial year at 31st December and this was achieved.

The time had come to complete the technical dissolution of the old GUC, and Alastair moved “that Glasgow Unitarian Church be dissolved as an unincorporated association having transferred all the assets and liabilities to the Scottish Charitable Incorporated Association with the name of Glasgow Unitarian Church.” He explained that in order to comply with our constitution we had obtained the prior consent of the Scottish Unitarian Association. This arrangement had satisfied the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). The motion for dissolution was passed unanimously with 20 members voting.

The members who were present proceeded to adopt the new constitution for the SCIO, again unanimously. The following members were elected as the trustees: Barry Bell, Janet Briggs, Iain Brown, Barbara Clifford, Charlie Dand, Ruth Gregory, Bill Gregory, Chuck McProud, Jim Millar, Margaret Paxton and Alastair Moodie. At the first meeting of the new Management Committee to be held on 17th April the office-bearers will be confirmed.

And so a new chapter in the history of Glasgow Unitarian Church has begun.___________________________________

Our oldest member, Harry Wylie, has moved back up North, to a Care Home in Westerton. He was 102 on 22nd March, and had a weekend of celebratory parties. He enjoys visitors, telephone calls and letters. Ann Wylie, Margaret Paxton or Janet Briggs can supply his contact details.

Dear FriendsThe last two services in April will markthe end of my regular duties at GUC - ( Organist / Music Coordinator, member of MLT and Worship Leader) and the beginning of my retirement.

GUC has been an important part of my life for over 30 years and I know I will miss you all. However, I shall remain a member of GUC and with your help and cooperation, continue to design and edit N&V ( and keep the website updated ) until a replacement is found.

I have always thought of GUC as my ‘church family’ and it feels like I am leaving home! It has been a difficult decision, but I know that it is the right one for health and personal reasons.

Thank you, with all my heart, for your valued friendship over the years and wishing you all the very best for the future..... Lyanne

BOTANIC GARDENS CAFE

Let us go insteadwhere cakes, scones, brie and baked potatoes waitserved in white painted roomswalls hung with floral looms,where daisied curtains pleatin long flowered foldsdraping lengthy windowsbrightened by the morningʼsleaves of green that shroudand shape a bowerwhere children play, seekand hide, secure and safe.

Botanic garden sanctuarya Sunday morning bide,the place of ease and beautyfor Mothers and folk ofGlasgow lore who spokewith cheer and open hearts,their smiles, their couthycomfy casualty, a gift,real relief on the sabbathfrom weeks unyielding stress and toil.Let us go.

UMS at GUCA huge thank you to everyone who helped to make our musical weekend (15th - 17th March) such a resounding success.

The Saturday workshops and rehearsals were great fun under the leadership of David Dawson, President of the Unitarian Music Society. On Saturday evening, the informal concert was full of talent and humour, from both groups.

The Sunday morning service - ‘A Celebration of Music’ was very special, with the choir made up of UMS and GUC singers. We sang David Dawson’s lovely anthem - ‘Let this be a House of Peace’ accompanied by Kerr Jamieson who returned to the GUC organ.

This event was a fine example of teamwork and creative cooperation. It was a very happy experience for all.

Lyanne Mitchell

Rev. Maud Robinson’s speech on tolerance vs. respect at the Scottish Parliament. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/newsandmediacentre/41530.aspx

Interfaith Glasgow is a new project hosted by Interfaith Scotland. Glasgow is a religiously diverse and vibrant city with a proud history of interfaith engagement. The aim is to create a sustainable structure for interfaith engagement in the city, to establish effective communication networks, and to increase participation through exciting new initiatives.Interfaith Glasgow is now online. Please check out the links which will be added to the GUC website LINKS page.

Contributed by Linda Haggerstone

Langside Primary SchoolMULTI FAITH DAY - Thursday 14th March 2013

I represented GUC at this event, using the Unidoodles pack which is about to be launched at GA Nottingham. I thought this would be a good opportunity to give it a ʻdry runʼ. I was invited to talk about Unitarianism to 3 classes - at P5 and P6 level.

I chose the page on Charles Dickens and the story of ʻA Christmas Carolʼ. Most of the children knew about Scrooge and the 3 ghosts who brought about his transformation. We discussed ideas about change - could people change?....and what did they believe needs to change in the world?

The children were encouraged to ʻdoodleʼ their ideas on the sheet provided and I was impressed by the range of topics they tackled....cruelty to animals, violence, pollution, discrimination, greed, homelessness, racism, destruction of the planet.

There were 2 factors that helped to make the presentation a success - most of the other Multi Faith guests had given talks to the classes and the children were glad to have something practical to do and also, the use of the word ʻdoodleʻ encouraged everyone to join in, even if they were not so good at drawing.

My sincere thanks go to Violet Bremner who supplied 100 A3 copies of the Unidoodle worksheet we used. The packs will be available from Essex Hall, following GA Nottingham. It is hoped that they will prove to be a useful and enjoyable resource for Unitarian children aged 8 -12 years. Lyanne Mitchell

Onward and upward ?

During the discussion part of a recent Sunday Service conducted by Barry Bell the issue of the state of human society was raised. Were things actually getting worse, it was asked, or was it that it appeared so because of our exposure to the mass media and its selective process giving a distorted picture?

This reminded me of a 19th century description of Unitarianism by a famous American theologian, James Freeman Clarke, whose fifth point of the New Theology was ʻThe progress of Mankind, onward and upward foreverʼ. A few decades later the catastrophe of the Great War shattered this optimism. This was followed by the rise of fascism and the even ʻgreaterʼ Second World War. Clarkeʼs fifth point came to be considered naive.Certainly one can see from a study of history that there is no straightforward progression. However, one can also discern certain historical trends that make Clarkeʼs statement less ridiculous than it might at first appear.

Since 1945 the United Nations has set many targets for reduction of poverty, the spread of education, reduction in child death rates, improved nutrition, reduction in various infectious diseases, and others. While there are enormous disparities between countries and between social groups within countries, the statistical trends in general show very significant improvements. The very fact that the international community has set targets, even if frequently falling short, says something very positive about attitudes compared with say the 19th century, let alone earlier periods.

Looking at Britain, in the lifetime of many of us we have had the creation of the National Health Service which provides free treatment for all citizens irrespective of their position in society – generally recognised as one of the great achievements of the 20th century. The position of women has also improved enormously in employment and education; and even more remarkably, same sex relationships have moved from a position of illegality to recognition of marriage equality in some states. This is a mention of just a few fundamental changes of many that have taken place in a short period of time. It wouldnʼt be difficult to compile a much longer list of improvements not just in material terms but in attitudes. Taking a perspective of centuries todayʼs society is much more humane and egalitarian.

Of course there are plenty of challenges ahead – there always will be. There are too many people on our small planet; we have an economic system that is ʻnot fit for purposeʼ; we still have as a society an undeserved faith in weapons of war to keep the peace; our economic activities and lifestyle impact severely on the environment on which the future of humankind – and the animals and plants -– depend. But if we temper our intelligence with wisdom I believe we can overcome the many problems humankind faces today.George Paxton

Mahatma Gandhi

Complaint

The item 'Encounter', submitted by Janet Briggs (N&V March 2013) refers to an 'idiot' in a supermarket check-out queue who, it is later revealed in the item, is in the company of his 'carer'. I was a 'carer' for my mentally-ill daughter for fourteen years up to her untimely death and although she was in no way an 'idiot' I have many times seen such 'idiots' behaving in the manner described. Those poor unfortunates are usually delighted to see any people whom they recognise and often describe them as 'friends'. There are many such people, some of whom I got to know when visiting the psychiatric unit where my daughter was, who look on me as a 'friend'. I am honoured by that! The juxtaposition of the words ‘idiot’ and ‘carer’ together with the description of the behaviour of the ‘idiot’ present a very offensive, judgemental and crudely derisory attack on the feelings of those who may be mentally ill, have learning difficulties, etc., and their carers.

The use of the word ‘idiot’ to describe such unfortunates has long since passed out of acceptable language. Much offence has been caused by this insensitive article.

Jim McKenna

Ed - When Janet sent me this item, she was aware that the use of the word ‘idiot’ was controversial. I questioned her about it but she said she wanted to ‘make people think’. My interpretation was that Janet was trying to call attention to how wrong members of the public are to assume that a person like this is an idiot. I think she was actually trying to flag up and show up this kind of intolerance and ignorance. I take full responsibility for printing it - because I interpreted it that way and believe that was what Janet was intending. It just goes to show how differently things can be received and understood. I am sincerely sorry this has caused such offense to Jim and Agnes.

Favourite Quotations Contributed by Sheena BluerʻEverybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking itʼs stupid.ʼ

Albert Einstein

From ʻBrain Teaserʼ page - Scotland on Sunday :-ʻThe only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.ʼSocrates

ʻThe fundamental cause of trouble in the world is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.Bertrand Russell

ʻImmigration is the sincerest form of flattery”

Contributed by Janet Briggs

Fanny Stevenson: Muse, Adventuress and Romantic Enigmaby Alexandra Lapierre

Review by Margaret Murray

GUC

Fanny led an exciting life before, during and after her marriage to Louis. She travelled west via Panama to join her first husband in Nevada, made furniture for their miner’s shack and carried a pistol which came in handy when a rattlesnake threatened to strike. After they moved to San Francisco, Fanny attended the School of Design for a year before travelling to Europe to study art at the Julian Academy in Paris. Louis met Fanny for the first time in the artists' colony of Grez-sur-Loing. He was so attracted by her adventurous spirit that he crossed America to be with her.

After their marriage in 1880 they returned to Britain, but how would his parents react to this wild woman? Imagine the dinner party in Heriot Row when Fanny is introduced to the extended family. She is seated next to her new father-in-law, Thomas. Everyone stands as he begins family prayers, reciting a long passage from the book of Job. He has to raise his voice because the new maid is clattering dishes onto the buffet. By the time he finishes grace she has broken a plate and the soup is cooling. He turns on the poor servant girl with a tirade of abuse and she begins to cry. All the guests are speechless except Fanny, who points out angrily that it is immoral to humiliate someone who cannot answer back. Amazingly, the old gentleman backs down and pats Fanny’s hand in a gesture of conciliation and acceptance.Winning over members of the Savile Club in London would not be so easy, however, and Fanny managed to alienate most of the literati with the exception of Henry James.

Their search for a healthy climate led Louis and Fanny to settle in the Samoan Islands where they supported the natives’ resistance to British, German and American colonial rule. In the Samoan way, their workers became part of the Stevenson clan along

with Louis’s mother and Fanny’s children Belle and Lloyd. The latter assisted Louis with his writing while Fanny concentrated on the completion of Villa Vailima. Today the museum stands as a monument to her dedication. She was the one who plumbed in the shower, built the pig-pens and cultivated the crops but - if only she had fulfilled her artistic ambitions - we might have enjoyed sketches of a Vailima servant, wearing his tartan lava-lava knotted at the side like a kilt.

Publisher's Weekly Summary

Robert Louis Stevenson's biographers are sharply divided over his American wife Frances (Fanny) Van de Grift (1840-1914), depicting her either as a muse, a saintly martyr or a dominating shrew. In this spellbinding biography, French novelist Lapierre portrays the Indiana-born farmer's daughter as an intrepid woman of courage who sublimated her career as a painter in her possessive love for the tubercular Scottish writer. They met in a French artists' colony when RLS was 25. Fanny, 10 years his senior and the mother of three, was separated from her first husband, Sam Osbourne, a gambler and womanizer whom she had blindly followed to a Nevada silver mining camp and then to San Francisco. Fanny's 14-year quest to restore the frail Robert's health, which took them eventually to Hawaii and Samoa, makes this an intensely moving, colourful epic.

GLASGOW UNITARIANS www.glasgow-unitarians.org.uk 72 Berkeley Street, Glasgow_____________________________________________________________________________

April DiaryAPRIL SERVICES at 11am

FLOWERS & COFFEE News & Views

N&V aims to come out on the last Sunday of every month.

Deadline for May issue-Sunday 21st April 2013

Our newsletter benefits from your contributions. I will be

pleased to receive Book Reviews / ʻIn My Viewʼ / other

items. Thankslyanne.mitchell@mac.com

Other Events in April

11th - Property sub-committee will meet with lunch at the Bocadillo for a meeting that starts around 1.30pm.

Oor Wee Words - Bocadillo's on Sauchiehall Street (near the Mitchell Library and the Unitarian church) from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.30th March - Rites of Spring13th April - Matoaka (Pocahontas) and Sakakawea (Sacagawea)27th April - FreedomWeds 17th - First meeting of the new management committee at 7pm. Weds 17th - Ministry Leadership Team will meet at 3pm.

7th Barbara Clifford - Choices

14th Roddy Macpherson - Anniversaries

21st Iain Brown - Twenty First Century Buddhist Skeptic: Part 2 – What endures?

28th Flower Communion – Lyanne Mitchell and Iain BrownPlease bring a flower to represent yourself. 

MUSIC

Stephen

Kirsty

Lyanne

Tom

7th John and Barbara Clifford14th Janet Briggs

21st - Douglas Brown28th -